4-7-08 Doc Update

Hello All, found out today that I am not having the lymph node removed right now because they want to start treatment and I am happy with that. I will have Radio-iodine treatment on Apr 23, 2008. The process as I understand it now:

1. I am now on a Low-Iodine Diet for the next 2 weeks, they have a cookbook with a lot of recipes and I do not think I can go through this so I am going to play it safe with fruits and fresh veggies for the next 2 weeks :-) http://www.thyca.org/rai.htm#diet

2. Apr 21 and 22, I will get my thyrogen shots
(Thyrogen® (thyrotropin alfa for injection) is used in combination with other tests to detect recurring or leftover thyroid cancer cells in patients with a history of certain types of thyroid cancer. Thyrogen is injected in a muscle, and is available only by prescription. The most common side effects reported in clinical studies were nausea, headache, weakness & vomiting. When using Thyrogen, there is a risk that thyroid cancer cells may not be detected and diagnosis of recurring cancer may be missed.

3. Apr 23, I will be admitted to the hospital in Wilmington (NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER) no one will be allowed to visit me because of the medication I will receive. I will be given a radio-iodine pill that will make me radioactive so I will be isolated for 48 hours.

4. Apr 25, I will be released and sent home. I will still be in isolation. No one under the age of 10 years young can be in the same house with me. Adults have to stay 7ft away from me and limited contact, no more than 10 min.

5. I will be on leave from Apr 21- May 5 to make sure everything is ok.
Thanks again for all the support.